Drilling apparatus



Nov. 22, 1927.

E c. MORGAN DRILLING APLARATUS original Filed sept. 22. 1922 5sneetspsheet 1 fil Nov. 22, 1927.

E. C. MORGAN DRILLING APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 22. 1922 5Sheets-Sheet 2.

Gi@ v E. C. MORGAN Nov, 22, 1927. 1,649,911

DRILLING APEARATUS original Filed sept. 22. 1922 5 sheets-sheet s Nov.22, 1927. A E. C.- MORGAN DRILLING APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 22.1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ANov. 22, 1927.

E. c. MORGAN DRILLING APFARATUS ri'ginal Filed sept. 22. '1922 5sheets-sheet 5 u um! @mm MLM one of the drills taken on t-he line 3 ofFigi Patented Nov. 22, l2?.

air srs n EDMUND C. MORGAN, F NEW YORK, N. Y.;10 LIVE EUGENIE MORGANEXECTRIX OF SAID EDMUND" C. MORGAN, DECEASED.

DRILLING APPARATUS.

Application led September 22, 1922, Serial No. 589,816. Renewed iarch23, 1927.

The object of this invention is to provide a drillingv apparatus whichshall be of improved construction and more eilicient, econornioal andconvenient in operation than devices` of similar type previously known.

rlhe invention is exempliiied in the combination and arrangement otparts shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the followingspeciication, and it is more 'particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

The present invention relates particularly to'drillinp,- apparatusmounted on a truck and adapted to travel on a mine track.

This application is a continuation in part or' my co-pendingapplication, Serial No. 196,294, iledQctober l2, 1917, for an im--provenient in mining' machines.

In the accompanying drawings* Fig. 1 is an elevational view of thecomplete mining.- machine with the drilling mechanism shown `brokenapart to indicate that it may be extended any desired distance beyondthe forward end of the truck;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the. construction shown in Fig. 1; 4

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational View of 2 looking` in the direction otthe arrow;

Fig. l is a sectional plan view of the drilling' mechanism detached fromthe truck, kthesections being taken on the line indicated at l in Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is a :fragmentaryL side elevation with` parts in section showingthe automatic trip for thc'drill;

Fig. 6; is a vertical sectional view on the line (5-6 oi' Fig. 5.;

Fig. 7 .is a vertical sectional view on the line 7-7 of 6;

Fig. 8A is a detail of construction;

Fig. 9. is a sectional view taken onthe line 9f9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a detail oi' construction;

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevational view ot the brake mechanism foranchoring the truck tok the mine traer;

Fifi. 12 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the fan-shaped relation otthe drilling mechanism operating at a mine heading ot predeterminedWidth; and

Fig. 13 is an elevational view showing i cliagrani'mati-cally theadjustment in inclina tionoif the drilling mechanism relative to thetruck and the mine track.

The machine constitutingthe vembodiment of the invention shown in thedrawv ings is carried upon a truck, the frame of which is shown at 1 inFig. 1, and the wheels 2 or" which are arranged to travel on a minetrack comprising rails 3 of the usual forni employed in the entries inrooms of a.` coal mine. Supported on the frame of the truck at the rearend thereof is a motor 4, the

shaft-6 of which is connected by meansot the worm gearing 757 to theaxles 8, 8 of the truck. Bv controlling the operation of the electricmotor 4 the truck together with the drilling` mechanism mounted thereonmay be .propelled in either direction along the mine track, particularlyfor transportation purposes, although if desired, the drills may be fedinto the mine wall when held horizontally by moving' the truck along thetrack.

'l prefer, however, to hold the truck station- ,coinpanying drawings,but in the present application I have entirely omitted theundercuttinnleert-cutter so that a separate machine mav be used forundercutting a body of coal toV be dislodged, either before or after thedrilling apparatus hereinafter described has been operated to producethe drill Yholes illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 of the ac-.

companying drawings. t should be understood that these drill holes arefor the purpose of receiving blasting charges to dislodge the coal fromthe vein at the mine heading corresponding approximately to the width ofthe previously prepared mine chamber. The mechanism for drilling theblast holes is bolted to the upper rear Vportion of the truck or frameof the inotorll and may be easl7 jreinoved when desired. The drillingn'iechanisin is mounted ona base plate206 which is provided with a pairof upwardly projecting rings 207' in which hollow trunnion's 208 of ahousing '209- are 4journaled. The housing 209 is split etang line 2.10,ras

shown in Fig. 1, to allow access to the interior thereof, the partsbeing held together by bolts 211. .4r shaft 212 is journaled in thehollow trunnions 208 and carries a gear 213 which meshes with a pinion214 driven by a motor 215 carried within the housing 209. rit each endof the housing 209 and beyond the trunnions 208 there is located abearing bonv 216 which forms an integral continuation of the trunnions208. Located within these bearing boxes are beveled pinions 217 carriedon the ends ofthe shaft 212 and arranged to mesh with beveled pinions218 connected with the upper end of a sleeve 219 journaled on a beaingpin 220, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Journaled on the pin 220 above andbelow the sleeve 219 are members 221 and 222 which. are secured to a bar223,

the three inembers thus connected together constituting a supportingframe for one ofv the drills and its operating mechanism.

A threaded feed screw 224 is journaled in the member 221 and is providedwith a bevcled pinion which meshes with the pinion 218. By thisarrangement the guide bar is provided with a universal joint connectionwhich permits both vertical and lateral movement of the drill framerelative to the supporting plate 206, without disengaging the drivingconnection between the feed screw 224 and the drive shaft 212.

A central Guide bar 226 may be rigidly connected with the housing 209 toswing vertically with the housing in the bearing rings 207, since nolateral movement of the central drill is necessary. guide bars 223 andthe central guide bar 226 may be Vsupported by a leaf spring 227 securedto the base plate 206 by bolts 228 and to a lug 229 fastencdpto thecentral guide bar 226.

'lhe entire housing 209 and the drills con nected therewith may be swungvertically in the bearing rings 207 by a hand wheel 230,

which engages vthe threads of a screw 231 passing loosely through anopeningv in an arm connected with the housing 209 and pivoted at 233 toan arm 234 rigidly secured to the base plate 206, as shown in Figs. 1and 2. The outer drill bars 223 may be swung horizontally by the handwheels 235 connected with threaded members 236 which are pivoted to theouter bars 223 and the inner bar 226. respectively, as shown in Fig. 2.

The drills 237 are held at their inner ends in short shafts 238 providedwith sockets 239 for the reception of the drills. The outer ends of thedrills 237 are freely supported in openings 240 passing through bloclrs241 secured to the outer ends of the guide bars 223 and 226 by screws242. The blocks 241 are also provided with journal bearings for theouter ends of the feed screw 224. The

short shaft 238 is journaledin a vsplit block The two end 243 andcarries a gear 244 keyed to the shaft 238. The gear 244 meshes with agear 245 also journaled in the split block 243 and having an elongatedhub provided with a key 246 adapted to travel in a slot 247 whichextends the entire length of the feed screw 224. By this arrangement thedrill 237 is driven by the feed screw 224 independently of the positionof the block 243 along the length of the feed screw. The blocks 243 aresupported from the guide bars 223 and 226 by a dovetailed connection 299best shown 1n Fig. 6. A housing 248 is secured to the front face or theblock 243 by cap screws 249 and encloses a split nut comprising twoparts 250 and 251 for engaging the threads 4on the feed screw, as bestshown in Figs.

6 and 7. The blocks 250 and 251 which comprise parts of the split nutare mounted to slide vertically in the housing 248 and the lower bloclt250 has a shaft 252 journaled therein and providedwith eccentric cams atthe outer ends thereof. Each of the cams 253 engages a link 254 which ispivotally connected at its opposite end to the upper block 251 of thesplit nut.l 'It is appa-r rent that rotation of the shaft 252 will movethe bloclis250 and 251 toward and away from one another and into and outof engagement with the feed screw 224. One end of the sha-ft 252`carries a pinion256 which is concentric with the shaft 252 and is freeto rotate thereon and which has a pin 257 projecting outwardly from itsface. The pin 257 is connected by a coil spring 258 with a pin 259lixedly secured to the housing 248. The inner face of the pinion 256carries a segmentallug 260 which engages a similar lug 261 projectingfrom the cam 253, as shown in 8 and The tension of tho spring 258normally holds the lug 260 in the position shown inr`r thesev views, andthe lug 261 contacts with the lug 260 when'the cams 253 are movedslightly past their central lower position in"a direction to bring thelug 261 into engagement with the lug 260. In this way the blocks and 251are normally held in engagement with the feed screw 224 and any tendencyof the blocks to spread apart is counteracted by the contact between thelugs 260 and 261. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a cylindrical raclr bar 262is slidably mounted in a projection. 263 connected with the housing 248and meshes with the gear 256. The rack bar 262 normally extendsoutwardly from the front face split nut enoccurs7 lfurther forwardmovement of the housing causes the rack bar 262 to rotate the gear 256in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5.' rlhis rotationot the gear 256 will move the projection 200 arcuately away from theprojection 201 which is on the cam 253, and the position ot the cam andthe split nut-.controlled thereby will not be affected until a halfrevolution ot the gear 256 has been completed. Further rotation oi thegear 256, however, will bring the pin 257 to which the spring` 258 isconnected past the dead centerat the lcive'r side or' the gear and thespring will immediately complete the rotation of the gear and at thesame time drive the rack 262 through its support' 263 until it projects'trom the opposite side otl the support an amount equal to theprojection shoivn on the torward side of the support in Fig. 5. It isapparent by referring to Fig. that at the beginning of the rotation otthe gear 256by Athe spring S the projection 200 on the shaft 252 willengage the projection 261 on the cam 253 but on thc oppositeside tromthat `shown in this view, and that the rotation ot' the gear by thisspring will bring the projection 261 to a vertical poeition above the'shaft and will also bring the cams 253'into positions above the axis ofthe shaft. This Will spread apart the blocks 250 and 251 and disengagethem from the feed sereiv 224. In this ivay quick release oit the drillfrom the 'eed screw is e1- 'ected at predetermined,limits oi'l travel otthe drill. In other Words, the drill is provided with automatic limitstopping mech.-

anism.

After the drill has been released from the feed sci-ew it may bereturned to its original. position by the drum and cable mechanism showni-n Fig. 4. This mechanism comprises` a drum 265'on which a number ofcables 200 are Wound, the cables being directed over pulleys 207 andhaving their ends secured to pins 268 connected With the split blocks243. The drum 265 is controlled by a clutch 269 Operated by a lever 270(Fig. 2) carried on a shaft.- 271 viwhich; projects through the housing209.r By throwing in 'the clutch' 269 after the drills have ceased tofeed forwardly the cables 260 may be AWound upon the drum 265 andthedrills will thus be simultaneously returned to their initial positions.As the drills are brought into4 the rearrnost positions, the rear endsot' the rack. bars 262 will engage the rear portion or the traine andthus be moved forwardly to reset the gears 256 'and to reengage thesplit nuts with the feed screiv 224;e thus automatically setting theJfeeding device tor a second operation. the drilling mechanism maybegoverned by 'a' controller v272 mounted on the `housing 209, as shown inFig. 2.

' mine track.

The motor -tor driving The drilling operation is showndiagrai'nmatically in Figs. 12 and 13 in which rthe positions of thedrill frames are indicated by the reference letterse, f, and g. It willhe seen from Fig. 13 that the drill frame is inclined upwardly out ofparallelism with the It Will be apparent that the truck cannot be movedupon the track while the drills are being operated in this position andit is therefore desirable to perform the drilling operations While thetruck is being held stationary. In order to iirmly secure the truck instationary positionon the traclr ordinary brake?, may be applied to thewheels, but in order to prevent slipping ot' the Wheels along the railsduring the feeding o1 the drills l prefer to provide mechanism rtorgrippingv the rails, as shown in Fig. 11." By thus holding thetruclrsta- -tional-y in a predetermined position the drills may be fedaccurately vin fanshaped relation, as shownin Fig. 12, and also Whileinclined upwardly, as shown in Fig. 13. In other Words, by securing thetruck preliminarily in `stationary position relative to the track thedrills may be ted in balls of the rail, asshoivn in Fig, 11.- Theopposite ends ot' the shaft 300 are provided with operating ivheels 305.By actuating either of these Wheels both of the rails 3 may be grippedby the tivo pairs of brake arms so as to secure the truckrigidlycounected to the mine track and prevent movement thereof in eitherdirection along the track. It desired` one ot the Wheels 305 may beomitted and the coupling 306 reliedon to transmit power to the Wormgearing on both sides ot the truck. When the coupling 30G is released,however, so that the sections of the shaft 300 operate separately,Wheels 305 should be provide-d at both ysides ot'V the truck and in suchevent the brake arms 304. may be applied in paire. one pair at one sideoi' the truck and the other pair at the other sideiby operating theWheels 305 individually.

As shown in Fig. l, a trolley pole 307 may be pivoted at 308 to thetruck tranne7 1 and .hooked at 309 to the motor tramek 4 during theoperation of the drilling mechanism. `Or the trolley Wheel 310 may beconnected, to a trolley Wire in the mine chamber so as'to furllO duringthe operation of the drilling mechanism. It should be understood thatafter the truck has been secured to the track by means of the brake arms30a th-e multiple drill may be adjusted in inclination on thc axis ofthe shaft 212 by operating the wheel 230. Fun thermore, by operating thewheels 235 the outer drills 237 may be varied in angular relationhorizontally with the central drills so las to secure the fan-shapedrelation illustrated in Fig. 12. After the drills have been adjusted ininclination upwardly and laterally they are held securely in suchadjusted position by the mechanism connected to the Wheels 230 and 235.lt should also be noted that each drill is f ed longitudinally on itsown axis while the housing 209 and the truck are held stationary.

Obviously those skilled in the art may malte various changes in thedetails and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit andscope of my invention as deiined by the claims hereto appended, and lwish therefore not to be restricted to the precise construction hereindisclosed.

Having thus fully described an embodiment of my invention, what .ldesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. ln a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of a feed shaftfor said drill, and a frame for supporting .said drill and shaftparallel to each other, said frame having a protectingcover extendinglongitudinally along said feed shaft and over the same.

2. ln a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of a feed screwfor said drill, a frame extending longitudinally over said feed screw,and means connected to the rear `end of said drill and movable alongsaid feed screw under said frame for impart-ing forward feeding movementto said drill.

3. In a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of a feed screwfor said drill, a frame extending along said feed screw to support thesame, and means movable along said screw while guided along the bottomof said frame to feed the drill into the mine vein.

d. ln a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of a feed screwfor said drill, a frame having a flat cover plate for said feed screw,and feeding mechanism suspended from the bottom of .said plate andguided along the same to advance said drill to extend forwardly fromsaid frame and to retract said drill to a position where it will besubstantially cov-extensive with said feed screw.

5. ln a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of a supportingframe therefor comprising a longitudinal cover plate, and means adaptedto vextend along said plate beneath the same for operating said drill.

6. In a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of a feed screwfor said drill and of substantially the same length as said drill,spaced-apart bearings forsaid feed screw, an elongated frame extendingover said feed screw and suspending said bearings at the end portionsthereof, and means engaging said screw for feeding said drill whileguided along the bottom of said elongated frame between said bearings.

7. ln a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of a guide forsaid drill, a feed screw, an elongated Vframe covering said feed screw,bearings for said feed screw suspended from said frame, and means guidedalong the bottom of said frame for operating said drill including thefeed thereof.

8. In a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of an elongatedsupporting frame for said drill, a feed screw mounted in bearings onsaid frame, a guide block, tongue and groove connections between saidblock and .said frame to permit said block to have rectilinear mov-ementalong said frame, power transmission gearing on said bloc-lr betweensaid screw and said `drill to `rotate the latter, means on said blockand threaded to said screw to effect feeding of the drill when saidscrew is rotated, and

means for rotating .said screw to Operate the drill.

9. ln a mining machine, the ,combination with a drill, of a guide framefor supporting said drill, a feed screw on said frame, a guide block, adove-tailed connection between said bloclr and said frame, means mountedon said block and connected to both the feed screw and the drill foroperating 'the latter including the feed thereof along said frame and inadvance thereof, and mechanism for driving said operating means.

l0. In a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of a feed screwtherefor, a supporting frame for said drill and screw to maintain thesame in parallelism, a guide bloclrv slidable along said frame, meansfor rotating the drill upon rotating .said screw, said means comprisinga gear on said block splined to said screw to rotate therewith, a feednut on said block andthreaded to said screw, and means for rotating saidfeed screw to secure operation of said drill including feed thereofalong its axis parallel i to the axis of the feed screw.

ll. In a mining machine, the combination with a plurality ofspaced-apart drills, of a plurality of movable heads one connected withone end of each of said drills, a plurality of elongated guideframes onefor each of said heads, a plurality of feed screws on each of which oneof said heads is mounted, means mounted on each head for engaging itsfeed screw to cause the head to be guided along its frame and move itsdrill along its screw when the latter is rotated,

meansu carried by each of said heads to be driven yby the respectivescrews for impart ing rotary `i'uoveinents to said drills, and mechanismtor. operating the last-named means from a. single. source ot power.v

12. in a mining machine, the combination with a plurality ot separa-teand independent guide bars, oi: a plurality o1" feed screws oneextending` longitudinally along each of said guide bars, each feed screwbeing in parallel ism .with the guide barI associated therewith, aplurality ol' heads one carried by each ot said guide bars to sliderespectively along the latter while guided thereby and,` While engagingthe 'feed screw associated therew with, means for engaging said screws'for sliding` the respective heads along said bars, drills respectivelymounted in parallelism to said feed screws having one end supported bythe head associated therewith, gearing carried by each head fortransmitting rotary movement Ytrom its associated leed screw to itsrespective drill in the various positions of said heads along said feedscrews, means associated with each head tor operating the respectivefeed screws to slide the heads along said elongated guide bars and feedeach drill parallelto its associated rfeed screw and to simultaneouslyrotate the respective drill, and mechanism connected to all ol' saidt'eed screws to rotate the saine sin'mltaneously and secure simultaneousrotation ot the drills and,simultaneous longitudinal feed lthereoteachalong its respective guide bar.

13. lu. a ii'riningmachine, the combination with an` elongated port-abletrame, of a supplemental iframe iraivoted` thereto at the rear endthereoil on a transverse axis, a tert ry frame. pivotcd to saidsupplemental frame .on an upright axis in position to entend along thetop ot said portable. trame to the forward, end thereof, a drill on saidtertiary iframe in position to extend longitudinally thereof and alongthe top of said portable frame to the forward end or' the latter, andpower y trom said supplemental tram-e to said. tertiary trame foroperating the drill in its adjusted positions inclined upwardly andinclined laterally including the feed of said drill longitudinally ofsaid tertiary frame and beyond the forward end of said portable trame.

lll. ln a` mining` machine, the combination with wheeled truck adaptedto travel on a mine track, ot a` frame pivotcd to saidtruck on ahorizontal.transverse axis, a plurality of elongated guide bars pivotcdto said frame ou upright axes, drills carried by said bars, and powertransmission mechanism extending from said trame to said drills for opferadng the latter in their various adjustedV` positions ot inclinationupwardly and latorally.

15, ln annnmg machine, the combination trai'ismission mechanismeatendingy with a. support, of an elongated drill guide ,g

mounted on said support, a. drill guided means carried by said elongatedguide and connected to the. rear end of said difill to-r rotating thelatter. and feeding the same along said guide while the kdrill is guidedthrough the forward end of said guide,

means for adjustably mounting said drill `gu1de on said support, anddrivingconnec,

tions extending from said support to said drill operating ineansto drivethe latter for the various positions of `adjustment, of said drillguideon said support. f

16. 1n a mining'machine, the'combination with a support, of a.housing'pivoted to said support, an elongated drill guideV connected.

to said housing to movethe'rewith, a drill under said guide, means undersaid guide for operating said drill, power transmission wthrough theforward end of said guide, i

gearing within said housing and connected n to saidoperating means,A and`affmotor connected to power transmission gearing.

17. In amining machine,the combina-tion with a support, of a framepivotcd thereto on a horizontal transverse axis, a plurality ofelongated guide bars pivotcd lto said frame on upright axes, drillscarried by said barsand power transmission mechanism eX- tendinglfron'rsaid frame `to said drills for.

operating the latterin their various adjusted positions olf inclinationupwardly and nection Vbetween said guideand saidfrarne,

a drive shaft mounted on said trame, af-drill mounted on said guide to`be approXimately` coextensive therewith when said drill is in i initialposition and to reach out beyond said guide when fed along the latter,and bevel gearing vconnecting said shafts and arranged to form a powertransmission chain operable 1n allpositions of adiustment of said drillguide and housing.

19. In a mining machine), the combination with a support, of a framepivotcd thereon for adjustment on a transverse aXls, a plurallt-y ofelongated drill devices each comprising an elongated supporting trame,

the outermost ones vbeing pivotcd to said frame for adjustment laterallyon upright axes, a. Spring for sustaining a portion of the weight ofsaid trames and drill devices,

Imeans for adjusting the inclination of said frames on said transverseaxis, and means` for operating said drill devices from a common source`of power in their adjusted posi` tions.

20.. ln a. mining machine, the .combination with a support, of asupporting frame having an intermediate elongated drill support securedthereto, lateral elongated drill supports pivoted to said frame foradjustment on uprightaxes, a spring between said firstiiained supportand said frame for counterbalancing the weight of the latter, means foradjusting the lateral drill supports on said upright axes, drill devicesone on each of said elongated drill supports, and means for operatingsaid drill devices.

21. In a mining machine, the combination with a support, of a housingpivoted to said support for movement about a horizontal axis, aplurality of elongated drill guides, a drill and a feed screw thereformounted under each drill guide, a leaf spring connected to said supportand arranged to counterbalance the weight of the drill guides, a motoron said housing, and means connected between said motor and said feedscrews for simultaneously operating said drills.

22. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, ofasupplemental frame pivoted thereto transversely foi` adjustment on ahorizontal transverse axis, a plurality of elongated drills mounted msaid supplemental frame `to extend longitudinally of said supportingframe and for lateral adjustment relatively to each other, ineans forspreading said drills relative to one another to adjust the positionsthereof,`

means for tilting the said supplemental frame on said transverse axis toadjust the upward and downward inclinations of said drills, and meansfor operating said drills.

23. In a mining machine, the combination with a support, of a drillframe carried by said support and having a plurality of drill guidesthereon, all at substantially equal elevation, drills carried by saidguides for operation at substantially equal elevation, means forshifting the guides in elevation in unison with one another while saidsubstantially equal elevation is maintained, and means for adjustingsaid guides laterally relative to one another to change the positions ofsaid drills relative to said support.

24:. In a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of mechanism foroperating said drill including feed thereof, means for automaticallyarresting the forward feeding movement of said drill, and means forquickly restoring said drill to initial position without rotating thesame.

25. In a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of a guide forsaid drill, mechanism for feeding said drill along the guide, automaticlimit stop mechanism for automatically di^continuing the feed of thedrill by rendering` the feeding mechanism inoperative, and means forrestoring said drill to initial position independently of saidfeedingmechanism and automatically restoring said feeding mechanism tooperative condition when said drill has been thus restored.

26. In a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of a guide forsaid drill, feeding mechanism for moving said drillalong said guide,means for automatically disconnectingsaid drill from said feedingmechanism at a. predetermined position in the movement of said drillalong said guide, and mechanism for returning said drill along saidguide to initial position independently of said feeding mechanism andthen again rendering operative the feeding mechanism.

27. In a mining machine, a drill supporting frame, a drill mounted toslide longitudinally along said frame, a feed screw for moving saiddrill relative to said frame,- means connected with said drill foreiigaging said screw, and mechanism for automatically disconnecting saidscrew-engaging means from said feed screw when said drill has reachedits forward limit of movement.

28. In a mining machine, a drill, a frame for supporting said drill,mechanism for feeding said drill along said frame, means forautomatically disconnecting said drill from said feeding mechanism whensaid drill has reached one extremity of its movement, and forautomatically reconnecting said drill with saidfeeding mechanism whensaid drill is returned to its initial position.

29. In a mining machine, the combination with `a drill, of a guidetherefor, means for feeding said drill along said guide,V said meanscomprising a. Adivided feed nut,` and mechanism movable with said drilland arranged to engage a stop at one end of said guide when saiddrill'lias reached one extremity of its movement to automatically spreadapart the portions of said feed nut to disconnect the feeding mechanismfrom said drill. p

30. In a mining machine, a drill, a supporting frame for said drill,means for moving said drill on said frame, mechanism for automaticallydisconnecting said moving means from said drill vwhen said drill hasreached one extremity of its movement, and means for returning saiddrill bodily and `rectilinearly to its original position.

3l. In a mining machine, the combination with a frame, of a plurality ofindividual drills mounted thereon, means for siinultaneously operatingsaid drills including feed thereof, means for automaticallydisconnecting said feeding mechanism when said drills have reached `theforward limits of travel, and means for simultaneously returning saiddrills quickly to their initial positions independently of said feedingmechanism.

32. In a mining machine, a drill, a guide bar on which said drill ismounted for longitudinal movement, a screw for feeding said drill alongsaid guide bar, means con- Vnected with said drill for engaging saidscrew, a stop located at one end of said guide CII bar, means forengaging said stop to disconnect said screw-engaging means when saiddrill has reached one extremity of its movement, means for returningsaididrill to its initial position, and means for reengaging Saidscrew-engaging means when said drill has been returned to its initialposition.

33. ln a inininO machine a drill a screw,

nected with said drill for engaging said screw, a. shaft having a camthereon for moving said threaded member into and ,out of engagementwithsaid screw, a spring controlled pinion for operating said cam, and

means arranged to rotate said pinion against the tension of said springat a predetermined position in the movement of said drill along saidframe, and to bring' said pinion into a position to be rotated by thetension of said spring to operatesaid cam and disconnect said threadedmember freni said screw.

3l. n a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, .of aplurality of drilling units mounted thereon each for operation atapproximately the same elevation and all supported entirely by saidframe during operation, means for adjusting said units by spreading thesame in fan-shaped relation across themine wall in a general horizontaldirection, and self-acting poweroperated n'iechanism for simultaneously7operatingl said drilling units including the feed of each dr'ill along`its own axis while said drilling units are supported entirely by saidframe.

v36. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of aplurality of separate and independent drilling units mounted thereon forsole support thereby,

inea-ns for spreading the drilling units in fan-shaped relation in plan,means for adjusting the drilling units in inclination and elevation, andmechanism for simultaneously operating said separate and independentdrilling units including` the automatic feed of each drill along` itsown yairis while said drillingunits are supported entirely by saidframe.

37. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of aplurality of drilling units mounted on the rear endl portion of saidframe to extend longitudinally over and alon T said frame for operationon an upright mine Wallin advance of said frame while supported entirelyby the` latter while the space in advance of said frame remains free andunobstructed, and means for operating such drilling units simultaneouslyiiticludingl the automatic feed of each drill.

38. In a mining machine, the combination with a support-ingI frame, of aplurality of .separate and independent drill frames each elongated andeach rigidly connected to said supporting frame in adjusted relationthereto and for sole support thereby, a plurality of drills one on eachdrill frame, means for adjusting the drill frames and drills in anfgular relation laterally, means for simultaneously adjusting` the drillframes to secure` simultaneous adjustment with the drills in elevation aset, and means for operating the drills including individual feedthereof while in adjusted position relative to said frame and whilesupported solely thereby` 39. ln a mining machine, the combination witha truck adapted to travel on a mine track, of au elongated drill framepivoted on a horizontal axis to the rea-r end portion of said truck toadapt the machine for operation in a low roof mine chamber when saiddrill franie is approximately horizontal and extending along the top ofsaid truck, drilling mechanism extending from the rear end of saididrillframe along the latter to the outer end thereof, and means on said truckfor operating said drilling mechanism in a general horizontal directionapproximately along the plane of the roof of the mine chamber.

40. ln a mining machine, the combination with a truck adapted to travelon a mine track, of a plurality of drilling devices mounted on top ofthe truck t-o ertend` longitudinally thereof with the space above saiddrilling devices and the space` in advance' thereof as well as the spacein advance of the truck free and unobstructed, means for adjusting thedrilling devices laterally in fan-shaped relation and upwardly ininclination, and self-acting power-operated mechanism for simultaneously:operating said drilling devices including automatic feed thereofindividually each on its own axis while supported solely by said truck.

41. ln a mining machine, the combination with a supporting` frame, of aplurality of drills mounted thereon for sole support thereby and spreadacross the mine wall in a general horizontal direction at substantiallyequal elevation, the space in advance of said. drills and in advance ofsaid supporting frame being free and unobstructed, means for spreadingthe drills in fan-shaped relation across the mine Wall, means for si- Ymultaneously adjusting the said drills in inclination and elevationwhile maintaining equal elevation.l and means for operating said drillsincludingthe feed of each alongf Il l) its own aXis while supportedentirely (by said supporting frame.

i2. In a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of feeding meanstherefor, limit st-op mechanism comprising a split nutand means forholding the split portions of said nut spread apart, means forrestoringthe drill lo initial position while the nut portions are spreadapart, and means for autol muti/cally restoring the feeding means tooperative condition upon the return of said drill to initial position.

43. ln a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of feedingmechanism therefor comprising a split nut, limit .stop mechanismcomprising a rack and pinion connected to an eccentric for spreadingapart the portions of said split nut, a spring and stops to hold saidportions spread apart, and means for restoring the drill to initialposition while said portions are spread apart and for automaticallyrestoring said nut to feeding condition.

44. ln a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of means forsupporting the drill for operation in a general horizontal direction,means for operating the drill including the feed thereof, automaticlimit stop mechanism for said operating means to automatically limit theoutward feeding movement of said drill, and rope gearing for quicklyrestoring said drill by a movement in a general horizontal direction toinitial position.

45. In a mining machine, the combination with a drill, of means foroperating the same including the feed thereof, said operating meanscomprising a feed screw, automatic limit stop mechanism for renderingthe feed along said feed screw inoperative at a pre-- determined limitof travel of said drill, and self-actincpower-operated mechanism forquickly restoring the drill to initial position and automaticallyrendering the feed operative again in connection with said feed screwwhen the drill is thus restored.

46. In a mining machine, the combination with a drill., of means foroperating the same including the feed thereof, automatic limit stopmechanism for rendering the feed inoperative at a predetermined limit oftravel of said drill. manually controlled rope gearing for quicklyrestoring the drill to initial position. and automatic mechanism forrestoring the operating means when said drill reaches its initial.position.

4117. in a mining machine, the combination with a wheeled truck adaptedto travel on` a mine track to a position near a mine heading, of a framepivoted to said truck for adjustment relatively thereto on a horizontalaxis, a plurality of elongated drills mounted on said frame for lateraladjustment relative to each other and adapted to reach forward beyondthe forward end of said truck for operation in said mine heading whilethe space in advance of said truck remains free and unobstructed, meansfor spreading the drills relative to one another to adjust the positionsthereof, means for tilting said frame on said horizontal axis to adjustthe upward and downward inclinations of said drills simultaneously Whilethe space Vin advance thereof remains free and unobstructed, and meansfor simultaneously straight line movement to initial positionL andautomatically re-connectmg said splitV nuts to said feed screw.

-fi-Q. rln a mining machine, the combination with a wheeled truckadapted `to travel on a mine track to a position near a mine heading, cfa plurality of spaced-apart drills ,mounted on said truck to operate ina general horizontal direction by reaching forward beyond the truck foroperation on said mine heading, self-acting power-operated mechanism foroperating said drills simultaneously including the simultaneous feedthereof into the mine heading, mechanism for automatically discontinuingthe feed of the drills when the latterhave reached predetermined forwardlimits. of movement, and power-operated means comprisingr a plurality ofropes one connected to each of said operating mechanisms forsimultaneously restoring the drills to initial positions and with aquick straight line movement to its retracted position relative to thetruck.

50. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of amotor on said frame, a plurality of drills, means for supporting saiddrills solely on said frame and infolded relation at the sides of saidmotor in a relatively low position to adapt the machine fortransportation along a mine chamber having a relatively low roof,mechanism adapting said drills to independent adjustment to variousangular positions relative to `the path of travel of said supporting;rframe, and means connected between said motor and said drills foroperating the latter in their various adjusted positions.

51. ln a mining machine, the combination with a portable supportingframe adapted to move along a mine chamber having a low roof, of aplurality of drills extending along the upper portion of said frame andcarried thereby for transportationy bodily therewith in a low positionteclear the roof of said low roof mine chamber, means for permanentlysupporting said drills entirely on said frame in readiness foroperation, said means incliuling mechanism for adjusting the drillsindependently of each other to operate on an upright mine wall from thesaid supportingframe as soon as `the latter has been transportedinto'position for operation 0f the drills at 'the mine wall, means foreffecting the driving of said drills simultaneously from a single sourceof power, and means for effecting the feeding of each drill along itsown longitudinal axis while said supporting frame remains stationary.

52. In a mining machine,'the combination with an elongated supportingframe. relativelylow in height to adapt the same for movement along alow roof mine chamber, of a plurality of elongated drills vpermanentlysupported on said frame both for transportation and for operation, meansfor supporting said drills at the sides of said frame to occupy theirlowest positions during transportation alo-ng such low roof minechamber, means for supporting said drills for swinging adjustmentsvertically and horizontally independently of one another, mechanism onsaid frame for each drill to hold the same in the position to which itis moved vertically and horizontally, and means for operating saiddrills including the feed of each on its own axis from the supportingframe while the latter continues to support the drills and while saidsupporting frame remains stationary.

53. In a mining machine., the combination with a portable supportingframe., of a bracket mounted on said frame for independent vertical andhorizontal pivotal movement relatively thereto, a drill carried by saidbracket during transportation in a low position to clear low roofs ofmine chambers and for adjustment in inclination upwardly and downwardlyand laterally `relatively to said frame while supported entirelythereby, means for holding said bracket in its various positions ofpivotal adjustment to predetermine the operating axis of the drill, andmeans for Arotating and feeding said drills at all positions. ofadjust-ment thereof while supported entirely by said bracket and saidframe and while the latter is relatively stationary during operation ofthe drills.

54. In a mining machine, the combination with a. wheel-supported frameadapted to travel along a. mine track to a mine heading in a minechamber, of a'motor mounted on said frame, drills mounted permanently onsaid frame for sole sup-port thereby during transportation and duringoperation, means for supporting' the drills at the sides of the motor inlow positions during transportasaid frame for independent adjustment tovarious angular positions relative to thepath of travel of saidsupporting frame, and means for operating the drills from said motorwhile the drills are support-ed entirely by said frame and while thelatter remains stationary thereby afording lself-contained mechanism foroperating said drills from the ladjusted stationary position' of thefra-Ine adjacent the mine heading. j, y

55. In mining apparatus, the. combination with a supporting frame, ofwheels for supporting the same for travel on a mine track, a motor, aplurality of drills arranged on opposite sides of the motor, means formounting said drills on said frame for adjustment independently of eachother on horizontal and vertical axes, operating mech' anism for thedrills including independent feed along each drill axis, and drivingconnections between the motor and said operating mechanism, said drivingconnections comprising a shaft on the horizontal axis of adjustment ofthe drills below a plane extending through the upper edges of saidwheels so that during transportation said drills may occupy lowpositions at the sides ofthe motor to clear low roofs of mine chambers.

56. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame adaptedto enter a. low-roof mine chamber, of a4 plurality of brackets mountedon the rear portion of said frame for vertical and horizontal pivotalmovement relatively thereto independently of one another, drills carriedby said bracket and occupying positions extending longitudinally of saidframe during transportationthereof, means for rotating said drills atall 4positions of adjustments of said brackets,

and means for feeding said drills longitudinally relatively to saidbrackets while said frame remains stationary.

57. A mining machine comprising a portable supporting frame adapted tomove along a low-roofl mine chamber, brackets carried by the sides ofsaid frame at the rear end thereof, drills carried by said brackets toextend longitudinally along said framenear the sides thereof to occupylow positions during transportation of the machine, means coacting withsaid brackets to support said drills for independent adjustment ininclination both laterally and vertically and so that said drills willnot interfere with one another whenswung 0n their pivotal supports, andmeans for simultaneously operating said drills including rotation ofeach and the feed of each along its own axis while said'frame remainsstationary.

58. In a. miningmachine, the combination kwith a portable supportingframe, of an operating motor carried hy said frame, tWo pairs of drills,means for mounting one pair of drills at one side oi' said motor toextend along one side of said frame, mea-ns 5 for mounting the otherpair of drills at the other side oi' said motor to extend along theother side of said frame, both of said mounting means being such as topermit adjustment oi' each drill in inclination both laterally andupwardly independently of the other drill and so that one drill of eachpair will occupy a lower position than the other drill correspondingthereto in the lre-` EDMUND c.v MORGAN.

